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PSCJ


Burnout: how the S&C coach can take steps to avoid it

27/11/2023

Josh Fletcher

ABSTRACT

Burnout is a growing challenge within strength and conditioning, where long hours, high-performance expectations and demanding environments can place significant physical and emotional strain on coaches. In this second article of a three-part series on coach well-being, Josh Fletcher explores the causes and consequences of burnout through both personal experience and practical guidance. The article explains how chronic stress develops when workplace demands consistently exceed an individual's coping capacity and argues that responsibility for managing stress is shared between coaches and employers. Practical strategies are presented to help coaches identify personal stressors, develop healthier responses, establish meaningful recovery habits and create sustainable boundaries between work and personal life. The article also highlights the important role leaders play in supporting staff well-being by encouraging open conversations, understanding individual needs and creating psychologically safe working environments. Ultimately, the author argues that prioritising coach well-being is essential not only for personal health but also for delivering sustainable high performance and providing the best possible support to athletes.


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Author: Josh Fletcher

Josh is a performance coach with 15 years of experience working in elite environments. Josh has worked in Olympic sport, pro sport, Special Forces and F2/F3 motorsport. From burn-out to Olympic medals, bullying to military medals of recognition, redundancies to broken relationships, Josh has experienced it. His business, Career Blueprint, is driven to push for better awareness, support and prioritisation of coach well-being.


In this issue

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ARTICLE
How best to integrate and implement S&C in secondary schools
Learn how to successfully integrate strength and conditioning into secondary schools, with practical strategies for PE, youth athletic development, resistance training and long-term physical literacy.

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ARTICLE
PREMIUM
Professional Strength & Conditioning - Issue 69 - Autumn 2023
Various
How Best to Integrate S&C in Secondary Schools; Career Advice and the Girl's Pathway; Burnout: How to Avoid It.

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ARTICLE
Psychosocial coaching practice: an introductory workshop
Discover why psychosocial coaching matters in strength and conditioning and how developing psychological, pedagogical, philosophical and sociocultural competencies can enhance athlete-centred coaching.

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ARTICLE
Anatomy and mechanics: Part 1 - Position and movement
Explore a modern perspective on anatomy and biomechanics, examining how passive tissues, fascia and mechanics influence movement, force transmission and athletic performance.

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ARTICLE
PREMIUM
Professional Strength & Conditioning - Issue 68 - Summer 2023
Various
Psychosocial Coaching; Career Periodisation; Anatomy and Mechanics and updates on Equality; Diversity and Inclusion in S&C.

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ARTICLE
Long-term athletic development of Gaelic games players: an action statement
Explore an evidence-based action statement for the long-term athletic development of Gaelic games players, providing practical guidance for coaches, clubs, schools and player pathways.

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ARTICLE
Use context and Gamespeed to transform speed and agility training
Discover how a gamespeed approach transforms speed and agility training by using context, decision-making and sport-specific movement to enhance performance.

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ARTICLE
PREMIUM
Professional Strength & Conditioning - Issue 67 - Winter 2022-23
Various
An action statement for Gaelic Games player development; The Importance of Diversity in S&C; Using Context and Gamespeed to transform Speed/Agility training.